Seneca Foods Corporation is an American food processor and distributor headquartered in Fairport, New York, United States. Seneca Foods Corporation conducts its business almost entirely in food packaging, which contributed to about 98% of the company's fiscal year net sales in 2017. Canned vegetables represented 65%, fruit products represented 23%, frozen fruit and vegetables represented 11% and fruit chip products represented 1% of the total food packaging net sales. Non-food packaging sales, which were primarily related to the sale of cans and ends, and outside revenue from the company's trucking and aircraft operations, represented 2% of the fiscal year 2017 net sales. Approximately 12% of the company's packaged foods were sold under its own brands, or licensed trademarks, including Seneca, Libby's, Aunt Nellie's, CherryMan, Green Valley, Read, and Seneca Farms. About 52% of the packaged foods were sold under private labels and 26% was sold to institutional food distributors. The remaining 10% was sold under a contract packing agreement with B&G Foods North America under the Green Giant label.
History
The company was founded in 1949 in Dundee, New York, by Cornell University business student Arthur S. Wolcott. In the 1950s, Seneca contracted with Minute Maid to co-pack the first frozen grape juice in the nation. Apple processing, specialty syrups and maraschino cherries were added to the product line.